In her first television interview following her mother’s death, Wynonna Judd spoke candidly about the loss of her mother, Naomi Judd.
The country singer said on CBS Sunday Morning that she is still “very angry” about Naomi’s death.
Is there any way to make it disappear? Lee Cowan, a correspondent, questioned her.
Wynonna replied to him, “No, I don’t think so, not for a while.” Also, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Grammy-winning vocalist Naomi Judd, 76, passed away on April 30. She was half of the mother-daughter duo The Judds alongside Wynonna. “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” Wynonna and her sister, actress Ashley Judd, wrote on social media to announce Naomi’s death.
Following the passing of her mother, Wynonna Judd reflected, “This cannot be how The Judds narrative ends.”
The medical examiner for Williamson County, Tennessee, confirmed Judd’s cause of death last month and cited the star’s history of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder as contributing factors. USA TODAY reports that she left behind a “note with suicide undertones” at the scene.
Due to “severe pain and irreparable loss,” the family is asking the court to block the release of posthumous conversations with investigators. The USA TODAY Network’s The Tennessean is just one of many media outlets that have asked to see the investigation’s files.
According to Wynonna’s interview with CBS, she had no idea Naomi was in such pain right before she passed away.
“I had no idea she was in that particular location when she decided to terminate things. “Because she’d had episodes previously and she’d gotten well,” Wynonna explained. And that’s where I’m at, always wondering whether there’s something I should have been on the lookout for or aware of. Not me!
Country singer Luke Bell overdosed on fentanyl, according to the autopsy.
She explained that her stepfather Larry Strickland and her sister Ashley are each grievings in their own ways. And we both look at each other like, ‘I’ve got you,’ right? And we give each other knowing nods as we affirm, “Yeah.” This is the most united we’ve been in a long time, perhaps ever.
Although Wynonna and her mother have what she calls a “difficult” relationship, the singer has admitted that she does miss her mother and has told her so on occasion. I want to argue with you; why aren’t you here?
Naomi took her hand and said, “My life is better because of you,” and that is something she will always remember.
Wynonna explained that those were the memories that had recently begun to resurface. When your mother dies, I don’t think you give a hoot about a lot of the other stuff. Actually, it doesn’t work like that at all.
As announced just before Naomi’s passing, Wynonna will begin what has been dubbed as The Judds’ final reunion tour this week. The tour’s 11 concerts across the United States begin this Friday in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and feature appearances by Brandi Carlile, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Ashley McBryde, and Trisha Yearwood.
The United States National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988 (phone or text) or online at 988lifeline.org to talk to trained professionals about suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Amy Haneline from USA TODAY and Marcus Dowling from The (Nashville) Tennessean contributed to this article.
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